Tulip Popular Tree - Ask Extension
What is going on with my tree. The leaves have black spots and are falling off the tree. Especially at the top of the tree. Is there anything I can d...
Knowledgebase
Tulip Popular Tree #877365
Asked July 15, 2024, 5:13 PM EDT
What is going on with my tree. The leaves have black spots and are falling off the tree. Especially at the top of the tree. Is there anything I can do to save my beautiful tree it is 10 years old.
Licking County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello Beth
After doing a lot of research, I believe you have Poplar Summer Leaf drop. This occurs in late June thru August, especially if there is hot dry weather. We have been having that. Our rains have been hit and miss at best and not very long (at least in my back yard). Keep your tree stress free by giving it a good drink—even if you think it is going to rain. That will wet the ground and let the rain ubsorb into the soil better. Here is a fact sheet with pictures for you to look at. https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/_media/purdue-landscape-report/2022/tulip-poplar-summer-leaf-drop.pdf
I do not think you have poplar leaf and shoot blight. You did not mention any stickiness to your tree, so no scale. Some leaves are totally brown so not aphids.
I do not think that you have Melampsora Rust. The marks on your leaves do not look to be pustules. I am giving you a fact sheet so you can look at that. If your tree is near a conifer, then this could be the cause. If so, you will need to do some trimming and practice sanitation. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-tree-08
If you have any questions, please hit the respond button
After doing a lot of research, I believe you have Poplar Summer Leaf drop. This occurs in late June thru August, especially if there is hot dry weather. We have been having that. Our rains have been hit and miss at best and not very long (at least in my back yard). Keep your tree stress free by giving it a good drink—even if you think it is going to rain. That will wet the ground and let the rain ubsorb into the soil better. Here is a fact sheet with pictures for you to look at. https://ag.purdue.edu/department/btny/ppdl/_media/purdue-landscape-report/2022/tulip-poplar-summer-leaf-drop.pdf
I do not think you have poplar leaf and shoot blight. You did not mention any stickiness to your tree, so no scale. Some leaves are totally brown so not aphids.
I do not think that you have Melampsora Rust. The marks on your leaves do not look to be pustules. I am giving you a fact sheet so you can look at that. If your tree is near a conifer, then this could be the cause. If so, you will need to do some trimming and practice sanitation. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-tree-08
If you have any questions, please hit the respond button
